Welp, we're back. He got an antibiotic shot and she (the vet) shaved the area and put a topical antiseptic of some kind on it. He'll be getting antibiotics twice a day until they run out also.
I know now how he got the wound. Saturday we went to the park. There were some German Shepards (3) there getting out when we were. I know these Shepards. I've seen them fairly often and one of the males (his name is "Blocker" and one of his ears flops over) has growled at Ese before when Ese was on leash and at a distance. This happened when he was 4 months old. I've sort of avoided that gang since. They've been around but have never really bothered with Ese when he plays with the other dogs.
Ese is confident pup. But not aggressive. When the dog walked toward him, he walked toward it with tail wagging. The dog approached while Ese stayed still (tail still wagging). They sniffed each other and suddenly Blocker lunged and hit Ese's side with his nose. Now, yes, Ese yelped a tiny, scared sound and tail-between-legs skirted away. I didn't see Blocker's teeth bared. I didn't see fur missing on Ese but ran my hands over him just incase. He seemed fine. So I thought he just got a scare. I'm convinced now that one of Blocker's teeth managed to hit target.
I feel awful. I had tried to hurry him along to avoid the Shepard. But he loves other dogs and wanted to say "Hi.". We were at the park for another hour and Ese played with his friends and there was still no sign of injury. I brushed him out when we got home. I wasn't looking for a wound because I thought he was fine, but I did brush him thoroughly and yet even then no blood, no anything. Still, it's the only occassion I can think of where Ese could've gotten this wound. I feel so guilty and unworthy of being his guardian.
My exchange with the vet didn't help my confidence any. We finally talked about his CHD diagnosis, the next step. I told her that I'd been researching specialists and that I also wanted to find someone who could do a Pennhip exam. She said, "Why?". I told her that I'd been reading up on CHD and that the Pennhip seemed to provide more acurate, mathmatical and less subjective analysis of the joint condition(s). She immediately, without another word from me, told me to stop reading and let the vet and specialist do their job. I told her that I didn't read so that I could intercede on their care. I read up because I wanted to know more about what Ese and I had to deal with. To educate myself so that I would understand what was what when I did meet the specialist and we talked about the condition and avenues for helping Ese. This became my first lengthy discussion with her. Normally, I simply did exactly what she said. I didn't dispute her this time. And I told her that I wasn't questioning her expertise but that there were somethings I needed to understand myself. So I asked her about all that I'd read on switching large/giant breed puppies to adult maintanence food at 4-6 months of age (If you recall, she had specifically advised me to keep Ese on Iam's Large Breed puppy food for his first 12 months). This is way to long already...thank you anyone who is still reading this for letting me vent...Basically, she told me to go with the specialist she referred me to and to do exactly as she says. Well, frankly, I always had because I'm not a vet, am not smart enough to be a vet, and respect the profession highly. But, I've a right to ask questions don't I? She seemed to take offense. I have a follow up appointment to check Ese's wound.
The vet bill was a total of $168.23. It's a very long story but Tim/Gunslinger had been bringing his cat Steinway to her for care. He's come to the conclusion that her rates are exorbitant and believes we can find a different compassionate, competant veteranarian for Steinway and Ese. After today,(and the $600.00+bill for his neutering and hip x-ray), I tend to agree. I think his follow up will be the last time Ese is going to this vet. It's hard though because he's gone to her since I've had him and he loves going there.
Ugh, why do I feel like I suck?
Thanks again for letting me vent.
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A tribute to his Newfoundland:
"... beauty without vanity
strength without insolence
courage without ferocity
and all the virtues of man without his vices"
- Lord Byron, 1808
[This message has been edited by Miyax (edited 02-25-2002).]
[This message has been edited by Miyax (edited 02-25-2002).]
